By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, Dec 17 — The state government is looking to build a multicourt next year to attract rural youth to the sport of pickleball.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the proposed court involves cooperation between local authorities and Land and District Offices to explore suitable areas for development.
“To promote the sport, we must look into facilities that allow the community to participate. In cities, there may be courts with features that could be more beneficial.
“In rural areas, they are not as readily available, so there must be a plan and involvement from state government agencies to build a (multiuse) court to accommodate basketball, volleyball and pickleball activities,” he said.
He was speaking during the SKOP interview programme by Selangor TV.
[caption id="attachment_361308" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi speaks at the PREC Pickleball Championship and Arena Track And Sport court launch at SACC Mall, Shah Alam, on June 22, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Najwan also said the state government is focusing on holding pickleball activities up to the international level by developing the sport from its grassroots.
“Selangor has always been at the forefront of the sports field, and we see potential to develop pickleball.
“Discussions will be held with the National Sports Council to determine whether pickleball can be included in the 2026 Malaysian Games,” he said.
In tabling the 2025 Selangor State Budget on November 15, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced an RM1 million allocation to develop pickleball.
Amirudin urged local authorities to provide pickleball courts at public parks by upgrading existing badminton courts.
Previously, the Menteri Besar reportedly said sports and recreation would be a core initiative in the Visit Selangor Year 2025 calendar to draw more local and foreign tourists.
